265. There is a clear need for continued support for R&D and technologies that are not yet fully commercialised and cost-competitive. In particular, tidal stream, tidal range and wave are technologies that the UK could be leading on in the future. Similar to wind and solar, costs for tidal stream are forecasted to come down and the technology could become fully cost- competitive in 2030s. The technology has been included in the latest CfD round. For tidal range projects, one of the main barriers is the high upfront building costs, with suggestions that the sector would need similar deals as provided to the nuclear industry to become cost-competitive. The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), offering test facilities for marine energy in Scotland, stressed that:
"For commercialisation, the majority of the finance required will come from the private sector, but the risks and uncertainties associated with proving novel technologies will hold this back. The public sector has thus an essential role in supporting the deployment of pre-commercial technologies for demonstration purposes. Once successfully demonstrated it is inevitable that private investment will flow in and deliver at scale." 220